October 29, 2017

October 29, 2017

Hi Boys and Girls,

We had a really busy and great week and I wanted to share just a few of our highlights.  First of all, I figured out that with all of our classes and new missionaries this past week we made 4 dozen cinnamon rolls, 2 dozen carrot/apple muffins, 3 batches of whole wheat pancakes (really delicious), 3 batches of cracked wheat cereal, 2 dozen apple spice muffins (they’ve become my new favorite sweet bread), 8 dozen cookies, and 3 pies!!!  Dang, and I actually lost a couple of pounds!  It was an awesome week.  When I want to teach them how to make a sweet bread it’s easier and way faster to make them into muffins instead so we make lots of muffins.

One of the places we traveled to was back to the Huitzuco branch out in the boonies (so many of them are) to where our friend, Hermano Felipe lives.  He’s the man I was telling you about last letter who lost his job and began making and selling banana bread (muffins) and kettle corn and is now providing for his family with this.  He was quite anxious for our class and up front to watch everything I did, but for some reason wouldn’t volunteer to help cook.  Anyway apparently he’s successful with his new business and anxious to learn more.  However, he told me about a problem he had while baking something…someone told him that baking soda and baking powder were the same thing so he couldn’t figure out why his muffins baked correctly one time and then when he changed the recipe they didn’t!  I’m telling you, it is really surprising how these people really do not cook and know very little about it.  Many of them don’t own an oven or measuring spoons or cups.  But the ones who are trying are successful.  Eugenia was one who didn’t have an oven in her home, but she had a vision and faith and confidence.  Hermano Felipe is gaining confidence the more success he has.  Another lady in the same branch makes and sells our kettle corn and every time she does, the people see her coming to the central plaza with it and she sells out!  For the life of me I can’t figure out why she doesn’t do more, but when we told her how cheap it was to make and how much money she was making, she was impressed with herself!!

We traveled to Galeana again also.  There’s a lady who has come to the last three or four classes who is not a member but comes with her friend.  Apparently she thinks Dad and I are her best friends…last Friday night she wanted photos with us and gave us hugs and kisses galore!  Her name is Marina, and I like her a lot.  This last class she brought a couple other non-member friends or family members with her! She’s always the first to volunteer to help cook because she’s really enjoying the class.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this class was the stepping stone to membership for her…”one of a city, two of a family.”  That’s our motto…if we can help but one of a branch or two in a stake to be more self-reliant we will feel satisfied and successful.  It’s fun to be with the people in this stake because they are very animated, interested, and having a good time.

We also taught a class in San Andres, an awesome little town nestled in the mountains just north of us.  We have to travel there by bus and then get a taxi from the bus terminal to the chapel.  Well we're standing there waiting for a taxi to come along and one did...the lady in the front passenger side opened the window and said get in and let's go!  We didn't recognize her as one of the members but she met us at the terminal to take us to the chapel which we certainl weren't expecting.  She was so excited for the class that she brought her own mixing bowls and ingredients because she wanted to make whatever it was we were teaching that day and take it home to her family!  Not only did she volunteer to help cook but she was really excited to do so and told me after class that since she got to practice she was already getting good at making it!!  It was cute.  Made me feel good.

So we got our “going home” letter from one of the office missionaries this past week about our travel plans for going home, which Dad and I found a bit entertaining.  It was a form letter that they send to all the missionaries about 4 months before their release date that we have to fill out and send back so he can purchase airline tickets, etc.  So a sample of the questions (keeping in mind that we are the only senior missionaries in the mission and this is a form letter):  #1 Are your parents coming to the mission to pick you up on the day of your release?  #2 What is the name of the airport at your final destination?

We started envisioning what it would be like if our parents came to pick us up on the day of our release and where that “final destination” would be and decided that that wouldn’t be such a bad thing to have happen!!  And #3 what are the emails and phone numbers of your parents?  I’m thinking Geoff or Darren would have a great time answering these questions for us!

Anyway, it is about that time. Like Jodi said the other day about life in general, some weeks just fly by and some weeks have crept along, but one thing about it is I’ve certainly grown to love my mission and the people we get to interact with on a regular basis.  I will truly miss being part of their lives.  I always hoped we would be able to go on a mission like this, never dreamed it would actually happen…it’s wonderful to help others come unto Christ or teach them how to be more self-reliant and successful temporally.  It’s wonderful to serve our Savior and help to build up His kingdom on the earth. 

We love you and are grateful for your support and encouragement and prayers, and we pray for your success as well.

 Love,

Mom and Dad, Non and Pop, Ken and Chrys

Photo #1 some of the ladies from our ward learning how to make pies, which was a special request.  It's too difficult to do that and travel, so we only did it because it was at our home ward

#2 Hermano Felipe in Huitzuco and Hermana don't know her name who sells kettle corn

#3 How do you like the shower curtain I use for a table cloth...hunted everywhere for a table cloth and could not find one!  So frustrating.

#4 The woman standing between dad and I is our non-member friend Marina, and the other is her friend who brings her to class